Islamic Museum of Australia

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"Ready for Delivery - Boundless Plains: The Australian Muslim Connection, by Islamic Museum of Australia. Author: Mr Moustafa Fahour (Founder & Director, Islamic Museum of Australia).

Purchase your copy of this 100 page coffee table book today via www.islamicmuseum.org.au and click on the Boundless Plains image"

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"Second delivery of Boundless Plains book sold out in days! Thank you so much for the support. News orders online will be a few days delayed due to new delivery arriving tomorrow. Sorry"

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So is this place open now?

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So is this place open now?

It's due to open late next year or early 2014 insha'Allah

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In early March this year, several high profile international, community, government, religious and business leaders met at the site of the proposed Islamic Museum of Australia for the official Soil Turning Ceremony.

While esteemed guests with bright shovels turned over the soil, there was a distinct feeling in the air that it was not just the landscape of this site that was evolving - Australia’s cultural landscape was evolving too.

The turning of the soil marks the official commencement of work to construct Australia’s first Islamic museum, which is not only a significant event for Australian Muslims but a significant event for Australia and multiculturalism generally.

Australians enjoy a free, open and tolerant society where everyone is equal, regardless of race, religious or cultural background. Our strength comes from our vibrant, inclusive culture, with citizens who are as diverse in cultural background as Australia itself is diverse in its landscape. The building of Australia’s first Islamic museum reiterates that all of our citizens have a right to practise whichever religion we choose, and acknowledges that since the 1600s, Muslims have made many valuable contributions to Australia.

The museum will take its place in Australia among other religious museums, such as the Mary MacKillop Catholic Museum, the Jewish Museum of Australia, New Norcia and the Salvation Army’s museums.

Attendees of the soil turning ceremony included special guest His Excellency, Prof Ihsanoglu (Secretary General of the Organisation of Islamic Conference), the Hon Simon Crean MP (Minister for Regional Australia, Regional Development and Local Government, Minister for the Arts), Mr Ted Baillieu (Premier of Victoria), Mr Hamish Tyrwhitt (CEO Leighton Holdings), the Hon Martin Ferguson MP (Minister for Resources, Energy and Tourism), Senator Kate Lundy (Minister for Sport, Minister for Multicultural Affairs; Minister Assisting for Industry and Innovation; Senator for the Australian Capital Territory), and the Hon Nicholas Kotsiras MP (Victorian Minister for Multicultural Affairs and Citizenship).

Mustafa Fahour, the co-founder of the museum, was positive and hopeful for the future, noting that building the first Islamic Museum in Australia funded through a mixture of government, corporate, community and private philanthropist contributions is a signification milestone for Australia.

“The IMA is humbled by the support offered and looks forward to enhancing the great multicultural and interfaith landscape we have here in Australia”, he said.

The museum will give visitors a look into Australian Muslim history from the 1600’s to the present, display Islamic art and architecture, explain Islamic beliefs and highlight the contribution of the Islamic civilization to modern knowledge over several centuries. It is expected to open in 2014.

For more information, please visit: http://www.islamicmuseum.org.au/

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Mr Ahmed Fahour, co-founder of the Islamic Museum of Australia, and Mr Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu, the Secretary General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation. Source: Islamic Museum of Australia

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Mr Hamish Tyrwhitt (CEO Leighton Holdings), the Hon Martin Ferguson MP, the Hon Nicholas Kotsiras and Mr Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu. Source: Islamic Museum of Australia

http://www.resilientcommunities.gov....s-of-hope.html

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Soon Australia will be home to its first Islamic museum – a celebration of Muslims’ artistic heritage and historical contributions, in Australia and overseas. Fittingly, the challenging project was kickstarted with a journey into the outback, writes Amal Awad

It was a rather casual affair; the room filled with artistic and creative people; a buzz of excitement in the air. We listened to a young man named Moustafa Fahour talk about the Islamic Museum of Australia (IMA) – the first of its kind Down Under – and why he spearheaded such a mammoth project.

Moustafa conceived the idea in 2010 and work on the museum is now underway. Scheduled for completion in 2013, it promises to be a unique place of creative and artistic insight into Islam and Muslims, especially in a local context. Not only is it a momentous step for the local Muslim community, but the amount of effort, funding and passion being poured into this project is exemplary.

This is how great things begin.

Indeed, what I find most interesting about Moustafa’s IMA project is his dedication and the inordinate level of sacrifice it’s entailed, both personally and professionally. When Moustafa’s budding idea started to bloom into something that required his attention full-time, he quit a corporate job to pursue funding and get the project running. This is no small feat given that Moustafa is also a husband and father, and the risk he was taking was significant.

Hearing about it in that first meeting, I admired his pluck and vision, and I wondered at the changes he’d made in order to make his dream a tangible reality

That it’s something he’s deeply passionate about is evident, made more so by Moustafa’s investment in drawing on Muslims’ historical relationship with Australia. He felt it was necessary to enrich his personal knowledge on Australia’s Muslim footprint. Given that Australia is a sprawling, diverse land, from cities to the arid outback, Moustafa’s journey took him to unexpected places.


It is an example of the role the IMA will play in fostering community and religious harmony, and educate the wider community of Muslims in Australia

Cue the IMA’s first project, called ‘Boundless Plains: The Australian Muslim Connection’. A 30-minute documentary and coffee table book traverse two expeditions undertaken by Fahour and three friends, also involved in the IMA’s conception and delivery.

During the journey, the four covered more than 20,000 km of the ‘boundless plains’ of Australia’s outback in an effort to ‘reconnect’ the Australian Muslim history. It’s a fascinating, beautifully documented journey.

‘The idea of this exhibition began by asking myself; that if I were to really understand the history of Australian Muslims and their contribution, I, as the founder of the IMA, needed to travel and hear the stories from the local communities, academics and descendants first-hand,’ Moustafa says

And he did just that, citing the storytelling as one of the best moments of the journey. He goes on to say that the Australian Muslim History gallery at the IMA will be one of the museum’s most important. And while it proved an adventure, Boundless Plains was a unique journey that challenged four young Muslim men who were living beyond their comfort zones.

‘It was an experience in itself, going out there with an open mind and not knowing what to expect,’ Moustafa says. ‘The second unique component of it was to drop everything I was doing and experience some real remote parts of Australia; that was breathtaking.’

It was a hands-on journey that revealed an entirely new understanding of how Muslims have long contributed to Australia and its culture.

Importantly, Moustafa says the response to the photography book has been exceptional, both in Australia and abroad.

‘We sold out within the first few months and the books have reached five countries. It’s also attracted book reviews in the UAE,’ he says.

While Boundless Plains was an education for the men involved, the greater IMA project is designed to offer the same for Australians, across all religions and cultures. Having projects that offer exploration and insight is a plus, and Moustafa says the IMA stands as a platform to support initiatives like Boundless Plains.

‘Although this is the first project of the IMA, it has been a rewarding one. It is an example of the role the IMA will play in fostering community and religious harmony, and educate the wider community of Muslims in Australia,’ he says.

And perhaps the most rewarding aspect of the initiative has been to witness shifts in perceptions.

‘To see cultures, communities and people of different faiths watching, experiencing and enjoying the book and film has really solidified the important role the IMA is playing and will play in the future when it opens.’

That the creativity and heart of Boundless Plains and future IMA exhibits may contribute to changing perceptions is something to root for, particularly given the museum has attracted significant attention beyond Australia’s bustling cities and boundless plains

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Commissioned by the Islamic Museum of Australia, this photography book is about four Muslim men who set off in 2011 determined to discover at first hand more about Australian Muslim history. 'The Expedition Team', as they lightheartedly dub themselves, cover 20,000 km as they travel by four-wheel drive, charter plane, flood boat and on foot.

This beautiful collection of photographs and essays by Dr.Peta Stephenson, Hanifa Deen and Prof Abdullah Saeed provides a visual history in to the world of Australian Muslims set against the unique beauty of the Australian landscape

http://www.islamicmuseum.org.au/boundless/

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Mustafa Fahour, the co-founder of the museum

Is he still running the riba institution called the NAB?

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Anisa Buckley speaking at the Boundless Plains screening, hosted by LMA and AFP at Parliament House.

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Imran Lum addressing audience at Boundless Plains in Sydney

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Has it screened in Melbourne yet?

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Has it screened in Melbourne yet?

Yep:

"On Friday 13th July, the IMA held the first public screening of the 30 minute full-length documentary of 'Boundless Plains: The Australian Muslim Connection' at Hoyts Highpoint in Melbourne. Over 200 guests attended this premiere screening event, which was opened by Ashraf Naim, General Manager of IMA, followed by a short speech by Hanifa Deen, an award-winning author of narrative nonfiction, before the documentary was shown.

Particular moments that the audience enjoyed included the interview with Aisha Zada, the 104-year-old descendant of Afghan cameleers, and Yusuf Islam's song 'Maybe There's a World' which he generously granted permission to the IMA to use on the soundtrack. The feedback for this premiere was wonderful and many attendees are looking forward to the DVD release by the end of the year"

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Oh don't know how I missed that! I was wanting to go to the premiere. Ah well!
Will wait to see the DVD now!

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IMA Rubics Cube


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Moustafa Fahour, general manager, Leighton Holdings

It was an audacious move, but Leighton Holdings’ Moustafa Fahour was willing to take a risk. In late 2012, he abandoned his corporate career to work full-time on Australia’s first Islamic Museum.

The idea to establish an institution showcasing Islam’s rich artistic heritage and contribution to the arts was birthed mid-2010.

“I had one objective and I started by asking myself, how can I contribute to society and play a role in fostering community and cultural/religious harmony?”

Fahour soon realised the project required a full-time commitment, particularly during the early fundraising stage – the goal was $10 million.

“As the dream started to become a reality with the help of a small group of friends, it came to a point where it had to be taken seriously if it was going to work.”

This prompted Fahour’s departure from his role as division director and head of Macquarie Private Bank, Key Clients to establish the Islamic Museum of Australia (IMA).

“Within six months the team had grown at the IMA and we raised the necessary funding to construct the museum. The formed Board was able to put an amazing team in place and I was able to go back to my corporate career.”

Now general manager at Leighton Holdings, Fahour remains on the IMA board. He marks his IMA endeavour as a highlight in his career, and says the past 12 to 18 months have been “the biggest learning curve” he’s experienced in his life so far.

“And I am still learning. I believe as humans we should always learn, no matter what our age, or what successes or failures we have in our lives.”

He takes his cue from older brother Ahmed Fahour, who is currently managing director and chief executive officer of Australia Post.

“Watching his successful career from a young age and first-hand was a blessing. It has been a wonderful experience to see how an individual can grow in their corporate career and still have sound morals, ethics and remain socially responsible to community.”

While he cites his brother as a mentor, Fahour says amongst other exceptional leaders, he is also a keen observer of Leighton chief executive Hamish Tyrwhitt.

“To watch these great young leaders successfully grow businesses and lead organisations on a journey during both challenging and unprecedented economic times, has been a wonderful learning experience,” Fahour says.

“To grow a business is one thing; however to do this and remain socially responsible to community and society at the same time is another. This is why these two individuals are exceptional leaders to me. They demonstrate to us that we can have successful careers, lead change, remain socially responsive and guide organisations to success.”

Fahour is attentive to what he considers strong leadership qualities, saying some leaders are born and some learn to lead.


“Importantly though, an individual needs to have the belief and passion in wanting to achieve their objective and then be able to communicate that to motivate others,” Fahour says.

“We are all created differently with unique skills. That is what’s great about meeting different people; we are not all the same. Leaders are able to combine the different skills and ideas of people to productively grow and improve their teams, businesses, communities or even countries.”

In challenging times, the responsibilities of industry leaders take on a different hue. Fahour believes it’s crucial to keep focused on strategy during times of change. However, in every cycle there are opportunities, he says.

“So long as you look at things from outside the box you can focus on how to take advantage of this to succeed, rather than focus on the situation itself inside the box.”

It’s certainly an element of what makes a great leader, though Fahour says one must also be selfless, with a primary objective being to achieve the goals of an organisation as a team.

“As the world gets more competitive, global and sophisticated, the more reliant success is on a team, not an individual. This was advice was given to me by my brother.”

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At the AMAA Awards

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Islamic Museum of Australia short trailer of the project to date

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